O'Neill wins backing for new PNG govt

Peter O'Neill has won the backing of former prime minister and rival
Michael Somare
to form Papua New Guinea's next government.

In a move likely to give a boost to Mr O'Neill's claim to keep the top job, Sir Michael, along with former prime ministers Julius Chan and Paias Wingti, have publicly declared they will form a new government.

"It is now evident that Peter O'Neill and his People's National Congress (PNC) party have secured more numbers than any other party, including our respective parties and will be called ... to form the next government," they said in a joint statement published in Port Moresby’s Post Courier on Wednesday.

Sir Michael was famously unseated as PNG's prime minister in early August last year, after a political revolt that saw Mr O'Neill installed in the top job.

His backing adds five MPs to Mr O'Neill's 17, while Sir Julius, who brokered the deal, brings a further six.

A spokesman for the prime minister said the current maths give Mr O'Neill 39 of the current 66 elected MPs.

There are 45 seats left to be declared and the PNC is expected to win at least two more.

"I thank O'Neill for inviting me to this press conference," Sir Michael said at a low-key press conference on Tuesday.

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"I believe that by having me, Sir Julius and Wingti, you can rest assured that we will be able to provide services and give confidence to the people."

The political reconciliation is also aimed at cruelling the political ambitions of Mr O'Neill's deputy prime minister and PNG party leader Belden Namah, who has also declared he is amassing the numbers to become prime minister.

"I am the favourite horse in the field," Mr Namah told The National newspaper.

"I will beat everybody for the top post because I will come from the back and beat everybody and that includes the caretaker prime minister."

Mr Namah has set up "camp" in Kokopo, East New Britain, where he is hoping to woo independents and minor parties to his side.

Absent from Tuesday's meeting between Mr O'Neill and Sir Michael was heavyweight and former deputy PM Don Polye, whose Triumph Heritage Empowerment Party is in a strong position to win as many as 12 seats.

AAP understands he has held discussions with Mr Namah.

Meanwhile, PNG's electoral commissioner Andrew Trawen has extended the return of writs from Friday July 27 to a date yet to be decided.

"Taking into account delays the counting process in less that 50 electorates nationwide, the extension date for the return of writs to his excellency the governor-general appears to be the likely scenario," Mr Trawen said.